8 November, 2019

Auditors struggling to challenge management, says FRC

One of the frequent complaints made of auditors is that they get too cosy with their clients. A report from the UK’s audit watchdog has concluded that they are, at the very least, shy of challenging...

6 November, 2019

Boards gear up for section 172 disclosures

This is the year of corporate reporting. Its importance was underlined last week when the UK’s company reporting watchdog, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), wrote to the chairs of audit committ...

5 November, 2019

Thomas Cook review urges action on audit reform and bonus clawbacks

The UK government has come under fresh criticism for failing to make progress on reforming audit and auditors, while it also faces demands to make it easier to enforce bonus clawbacks from directors i...

25 October, 2019

New UK stewardship code puts focus on investor engagement

Investor engagement with boards and companies is set to come under much closer scrutiny following the release of a new stewardship code by the UK’s watchdog for corporate reporting and governance. ...

23 October, 2019

Investors believe companies are ‘falling short’ on climate reporting

The pressure on companies to disclose more information about their climate-related issues was stepped up this week with a report from a UK watchdog revealing investor disappointment about the current ...

16 October, 2019

Sir John Kingman warns government over unfinished FRC reforms

The author of a report recommending extensive reform of the UK’s financial reporting and audit watchdog is unhappy with its progress. Indeed, Sir John Kingman, the chair of Legal & General,

3 October, 2019

FRC citizens’ juries reveal public views on corporate governance

Commentators often make great claims for what the public thinks about complex issues like audit, corporate reporting and governance. But rarely are the public’s thought processes put to the test—u...

3 September, 2019

Auditor resignations indicate new attitude to client selection

The audit profession in Britain is at a turning point as Westminster—Brexit permitting—considers new regulation. It seems firms may be responding by clearing the decks: the press has spotted a ...

31 July, 2019

Fines almost triple as regulators get tough with auditors

Auditors are facing a much tougher environment when their work goes wrong. Figures released by the Financial Reporting Counc...

16 July, 2019

Financial watchdog moves to strengthen audit ethics

Given the frequency of trouble facing auditors in recent years, there was bound to be a reaction. While the government continues to wrestle with reforming the audit market and audit regulation, the cu...